Moving to uk - NI number

dilligaf1701 · 28-07-2011, 14:37

If someone is moving to the UK from abroad (south Africa) and has a full UK passport what barriers do they have to start work?

I assume they can phone HM revenue and customs and get an NI number? But do they need to sort that out before they can start work?

When they start work can they claim working tax credits or do they have to wait so long first (I think they have to wait three years but as I said they do have a full passport so I'm not so sure).

Any advice would be appreciated, cheers.

Dilli.

**Kymmy** · 28-07-2011, 15:04

They just have to apply for a national insurance number..

As for tax credits as long as they are resident in the UK they can apply (i.e.. not on holiday here and have a right to live and work here)

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/st...w-arrivals.htm

danielf · 28-07-2011, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

If someone is moving to the UK from abroad (south Africa) and has a full UK passport what barriers do they have to start work?

I assume they can phone HM revenue and customs and get an NI number? But do they need to sort that out before they can start work?

When they start work can they claim working tax credits or do they have to wait so long first (I think they have to wait three years but as I said they do have a full passport so I'm not so sure).

Any advice would be appreciated, cheers.

Dilli.

If they have a full UK passport, they should be able to start work straight away. I think they will be issued a temporary NI number at first, so salary can get paid, and taxes deducted. Then you make an appointment at the job center to be interviewed. Assuming that goes well (i.e. you really have the right to work in the UK, and aren't wanted for crimes against humanity or something) you get issued a permanent NI number. That's what happened with me anyway. I arrived in the UK on a Saturday (had a job lined up), started work on Monday, and sorted the details out afterwards.

I don't know about tax credits.

dilligaf1701 · 28-07-2011, 15:16

Cheers

Yup he has a uk passport as he has a british father.

Mainly I was hoping that he can get a job while waiting for the NI thing to go through.

Thank you for your help

Dilli.

**Kymmy** · 28-07-2011, 15:19

His passport is proof that he is OK to get work.. They'll just put him on emergency tax whilst he gets an official NI number

dilligaf1701 · 28-07-2011, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

His passport is proof that he is OK to get work.. They'll just put him on emergency tax whilst he gets an official NI number

Excellent - cheers.

danielf · 28-07-2011, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

His passport is proof that he is OK to get work.. They'll just put him on emergency tax whilst he gets an official NI number

He may still need to have an interview at the job centre to establish the passport is actually his before they issue the NI number. I had to, with my EU passport, but that shouldn't put any employers off.

**Kymmy** · 28-07-2011, 15:27

But he can do that later..

He can walk into a job as soon as he lands as long as he has the passport as every company has to have proof that their employee has legal rights to work int he UK.. The NI number can be issued directly by HMRC and he only needs to approach the job centre if he's actually making a claim for jobseekers..

dilligaf1701 · 28-07-2011, 15:33

That's the main thing - he's arriving Saturday.

danielf · 28-07-2011, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

But he can do that later..

He can walk into a job as soon as he lands as long as he has the passport as every company has to have proof that their employee has legal rights to work int he UK.. The NI number can be issued directly by HMRC and he only needs to approach the job centre if he's actually making a claim for jobseekers..

Yeah, I said so much in my earlier post. I started work straight away as well.

Regarding the job centre: I'm not sure how it works for UK passport holders, but as an EU citizen, I was required to have an interview at the job centre before the NI number was issued. The interview was basically to determine if I was who I made out to be. This may or may not apply to UK passport holders, was all I was trying to point out.

dilligaf1701 · 28-07-2011, 15:37

Natalie had an interview to get a NI number - but at the time she didn't have a UK passport just her South African one (she had a working Visa) which is why I was confused.

danielf · 28-07-2011, 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

Natalie had an interview to get a NI number - but at the time she didn't have a UK passport just her South African one (she had a working Visa) which is why I was confused.

Yes, that may well be the difference. Either way, not having a NI number is not an obstacle to starting work. It wasn't for me anyway. The main thing is that you have a passport that allows you to work in the UK. A UK or EU passport will do. The NI number can be sorted out later.

dilligaf1701 · 28-07-2011, 15:47

Once again thanks all

- I'll let you know how he gets one once he's sorted

DocDutch · 28-07-2011, 17:18

No issue whatever when i moved here just started a job instantly and didn't bother with ni for a year so had a nice gift of the tax man when i managed to sort it

dilligaf1701 · 31-07-2011, 20:15

The problem at the moment is that he can't get a bank as he doesn't have a uk address and they won't let me use mine for him (on a temporary basis)